The best ultrawide monitors in 2024: top picks for gaming beyond 16:9 (2024)

One of the best ultrawide monitors delivers much more in the way of benefits than you might imagine, and these expansive screens can be ideal for a number of different types of users – and not just gamers, which is likely your first thought for the kind of person who might want one of these displays.

Granted, they are very well-suited for PC gaming, with all that additional screen real-estate making the experience more immersive, not to mention the extra peripheral vision that an ultrawide monitor grants you, which is particularly useful in, say, first-person shooters. Indeed, our top pick in this roundup, the LG UltraGear 38GN950, is a superb gaming monitor that really delivers the goods in terms of image quality, again reinforcing that immersive aspect.

Mind you, it could be argued that all this display space is even better for ramping up your productivity and working with multiple apps on one screen, and there are plus points on the ergonomic front, too, with these ultrawide displays possibly helping to reduce eye strain and neck pain.

An ultrawide could be the best monitorfor many different folks, then, but whether you’re a PC gamer, high-powered productivity user, or a creative type, you’ll find an ultrawide display to suit your needs in the models we’ve picked out below. Even those on a budget will be catered for here – an ultrawide screen doesn’t necessarily have to cost a fortune, just check out the beefy 34-inch AOC CU34G2X if you want a value proposition in spades.

The quick list

Whether it's for handling massive spreadsheets or for gaming, the best ultrawide monitors will give you the screen real estate and immersion you need for the job. Take a look at our top picks for every need and budget. And be sure to tap "Read more below" to find out more about your choice before you hit buy.

The best ultrawide monitors in 2024

Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best ultrawide monitor picks on our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.

The best ultrawide monitor overall

If you’re looking for the ultimate gaming monitor the LG UltraGear 38GN950 is certainly the one to beat. With a 144Hz refresh rate that can be easily overclocked to 160Hz, 1ms response time, spectacular image quality, and many other gaming features like G-Sync, an ultra-wide aspect ratio, and DisplayHDR 600 this is a truly remarkable monitor.

During testing, the 21:9 ultrawide aspect ratio certainly delivered the ‘wow’ factor –games feel much more cinematic on this display, offering not just a super-immersive experience, but also a tactical advantage. In particular, Microsoft Flight Simulator greatly benefited from the ultrawide design as it allowed us to keep an eye on landmarks and runways without pressing a button to switch views.

We found that playing at 144Hz and 160Hz results in an enjoyable experience without screen tearing. Meanwhile, the DCI-P3 98% color gamut support makes it a good option for photographers and video editors. The HDR here is still a middling version, with a peak brightness of only 600 nits. Still, although it can’t compare to OLEDs in particular, the UltraGear 38GN950 does display a decent HDR image.

Read our in-depth LG UltraGear 38GN950 review

Take a look at our LG promo codes to save on your next LG monitor.

The best budget ultrawide monitor

This 'frameless' monitor works hard to provide best-in-class performance, rather than advertising its gamer-centric nature via sharp angles and aggressive RGB lighting. If you are looking for gaming features, it boasts a 144Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and 1440p resolution for immersive gaming that looks incredible as well.

The AOC CU34G2X's performance is also impressive beyond gaming-centric uses. Its curve doesn't feel too overwhelming when leaning in close and offers one of the most immersive gaming experiences we’ve had. Out of the box, the hues and shades are gorgeous, not needing any adjustments for color balance. Meanwhile, its 144Hz refresh and 1ms response time have proven to be effective at minimizing screen-tearing even during intense battles.

Sadly, there is no G-sync, which is disappointing considering it's a gaming monitor. Plus, the menu is a little annoying to navigate. However, this is among the best ultrawide monitors for gaming – not to mention, a lot of value for your money.

Read our in-depth AOC CU34G2X review

The best curved ultrawide monitor for gamers

The BenQ EX3410R is an excellent ultrawide gaming monitor with lots of features, a stylish design, and great 144Hz performance. Its 1ms pixel response makes it a fantastic option for esports players who need to better see the battlefield and react quickly.Though, bear in mind, that we found during testing that it still requires some calibration for best results.

Surprisingly, the speakers on the BenQ EX3410R are actually very good too. And, while they're not going to compete with a high-quality soundbar with a sub-woofer and Dolby Atmos, they are more than enough for the vast majority of people out there.

The only real knock we have against it is that while it does have good color coverage, it doesn't have enough for the needs of creative professionals, so this is really a gamer's gaming monitor, rather than something that creatives who are also gamers can use into doing double duty.

Read our in-depth BenQ EX3410R review

The best 32:9 ultrawide monitor

Go big with the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9. Sure a 21:9 aspect ratio is great and all, but if you love games like Final Fantasy XIV you’re going to need more screen real estate for your buttons and meters. Luckily, this behemoth offers the coveted 32:9 aspect ratio which gives you a whole lot more room to spread out.

It’s more than just the size it also packs the most impressive tech we’ve seen and used in a gaming display; the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 takes everything offered by its predecessor (the Odyssey G9) and turns it up to 11. It now comes with Samsung's new Quantum Mini LED tech that allows this panel 2,048 local dimming zones for the most impressive and stunning HDR we’ve ever seen.We found this to be brighter and more colorful than anything we've ever seen.

Unfortunately, because of its size and tech, you need a seriously powerful PC to take full advantage of it. But, then again, if you’re buying a monitor that costs as much as this one does, you probably have the gear to back it up.

Read our in-depth Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 review

The best bendable ultrawide display

Bendable monitors have arrived in the PC gaming world, and the Corsair Xeneon Flex 45WQHD240 OLED is one of the pioneers. As with any new tech, it's an expensive piece of kit, but it gives you a whole new experience you won't get from all other ultrawide gaming display - and gaming monitors in general, for that matter.

By bendable, we really do mean bendable as this display's panel is capable of curving up to 800R. That means that you can pretty much play whatever PC game genre you want on this monitor at the most ideal curve for immersion. And it can completely flatten as well for games likeRocket LeagueandSid Meier's Civilization VI. Its flex is quite literally its flex.

Being an OLED panel, we weren't surprised to also find its colors rich and its blacks beautifully deep. What we were particularly please about were the color representation and color accuracy. Our colorimeter reading gave us just under 100% DCI-P3, 100% sRGB, and a Delta E average of less than 1. That means that it’s good enough for content creation as well.

There are opportunities for improvement here. The bending mechanism still feels clunky, HDR10 support is also disappointing, and there are no swivel or height adjustments. However, this is a truly versatile and immersive gaming monitor that's worth considering if you want to go the ultrawide route.

Find great deals on Corsair products with our Corsair coupon codes.

Read our full Corsair Xeneon Flex 45WQHD240 review

The best ultrawide monitor for work

The BenQ EW3880R is just as great for work as it is for media consumption. It boasts a subtle curvature that increases immersion, that ultra HD resolution in 21:9, and eye-comfort features that boosts productivity.

Its ability to display four, full-sized A4 documents, huge spreadsheets, and large graphical working areas makes it a productivity dream. Plus, during testing, its Ultra HD 3,840 x 1,600 resolution kept everything crisp and in sharp relief while its evenly lit panel married with the matte screen kept us from feeling fatigued even after prolonged periods of work.

As for media consumption, the built-in 2.1 sound system is seriously impressive – not to mention, space-saving since you won’t be needing a pair of external speakers. It’s expensive and not quite gaming-friendly. You might experience motion blur, image tearing and skipped frames when playing fast-paced games. However, if you have the money to spend on a premium display for work and entertainment, it’s definitely a winner.

Read our in-depth BenQ EW3880R review

The best OLED ultrawide monitor

The follow-up to the Samsung Odyssey Neo G9, which ranks higher on this list, is here, and it's better than ever thanks to its breathtaking OLED panel. It keeps some of the same features as its predecessor like its whopping 32:9 aspect ratio and 240Hz refresh rate, but it boasts an even faster response time, a wider color gamut, deeper blacks, and smoother visuals overall.

Though held back by a convoluted user interface and the lack of port variety, it impresses in looks and performance. Titles like Forza Horizon 5 and Doom: Eternal looked absolutely phenomenal during our testing, especially in that aspect ratio, and the display delivers excellent color accuracy, with the Delta-E staying around 1. Throw in a set of speakers that deliver good audio, and this is the best ultrawide monitor to get if money is no object.

Take that last part seriously as this will cost you a pretty penny. It's among the priciest, non-creative pro monitors we've tested.

Read our full Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 review

How to choose the best ultrawide monitor for you

Frequently asked questions about ultrawide monitors

How we test ultrawide monitors

Testing monitors in general is more involved than you'd think. It isn't as simple and straightforward as setting it up, using it for a day, and taking down notes. A monitor is an investment, whether you're looking to get the traditional 16:9 aspect ratio or need the screen real estate an ultrawide monitor can offer, so we take great pains to ensure that anything we recommend is worth your hard-earned money.

To do so, we use it as our main monitor for at least a week, utilizing it for our day-to-day workloads, watching movies and shows with it, and playing our favorite AAA games on it if it's a gaming monitor. This way, we can gauge its real-world performance.

We also test very specific things like refresh rates, response times, and viewing angles. We use a colorimeter to check its color reproduction, color accuracy, and uniformity. We check to see just how smooth, clean, and artifact-free its image quality is as well as how good its marquee features like HDR, adaptive sync technology, RGB lighting, and curvature are.

Of course, we note its design, aesthetic, and other physical features like how thin its bezels are, how good its port selection is, and how durable its build is. We then gather all that information and compare it to its price tag, to see if it’s a great value to consumers.

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